A 21-year-old Sierra Leonean woman, Thaduba Magdalena Turay, based in the United States of America (USA) was killed when her car was struck head-on by a driver headed southbound in the northbound lanes of I-95 in South Philly over the weekend.
The Pennsylvania State Police said a woman was killed by a wrong way driver along the northbound lanes on I-95 in South Philadelphia early Sunday.
According to police, the incident happened at about 2:41 a.m., when a vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-95 — between the exits for the Walt Whitman Bridge and Columbus Boulevard in South Philly — struck the woman’s vehicle, that was headed northbound, head-on.
Officials said the vehicle headed in the wrong direction was driven by a 44-year-old man.
The crash, law enforcement officials said, resulted in the death of a 21-year-old woman. Police officials said the man who was driving in the wrong direction is believed to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
He was taken to a nearby hospital, where officials said, he is being treated for injuries sustained in the incident.
And, officials with the state police said they are preparing to bring charges against the man for his alleged role in this fatal crash.
On Sunday morning, I-95 northbound between exits 19 and 20 was shut down for several hours as crews cleaned the roadway following this crash.
Thaduba Magdalena Turay, born January 26th, 2003, Wellington, Freetown to Samuel Dilito Turay and Fatmata Turay both from Kamakwie, Kerena district. His father raised in Kabala.
Migrated to the United States (Philadelphia) in September 2005.
Thaduba was an outstanding student in character at the Cardinal O’Hara High School.
Thaduba Magdalena Turay gained admission at Cheney University in Pennsylvania in 2021 as a prestigious keystone Scholar (four years scholarship offered by the State of Pennsylvania to student with outstanding academic performance/grade point). She was working to becoming a medical doctor with the vision of working in Sierra Leone and other developing countries…..”a traveling doctor “.
At Cheney University, Thaduba co-founded the “gospel dance team as a way sharing Christ and uplifting other students who were going through difficulties, she served as a motivator for her peers, always willing to help them with their academic work and other support to succeed. She formed a group that brings together college student (Nursing and medical science) to support each other in completing school work, home work, project…..an online study group.
Thaduba was a model Participant in the “Bridge for Black Americans Pursuing Medicine (BBAPM) at Cheyney University.
She was a model lady in character and focused in academia. She was an example for her peers and a constant motivator. Always available to to the extra mile to help as much as she can. She was skilled hair dresser and encouraged her peers to learn the as a way to make money and save money.
In Sierra Leone, she was giving back sacrificially as much as she can. In 2021 (age 18), Thaduba Magdalena Turay took part in “Passion Project Competition” held Washington DC. Her passion project was on supporting girl child education in Sierra Leone. She came second and was giving a price to support her follow through her passion project. Thaduba used all of the funds to support a number girls at the Kamakwie Wesleyan Secondary School. She has continue to support the girls who she has not met in person using her own funds. Thaduba had the plan of expanding her support to girls throughout Sierra Leone with no regard to their tribe, religion or region.
